Dosimeter

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for measuring doses of dispensed products includes a first metering ring ( 20 ) mounted to rotate  5  around a rotation axis ( 1 ), and drive means ( 10 ) that drives the first metering ring to rotate around an axis ( 1 ). The drive means ( 10 ) is actuated each time the dispenser is actuated. The apparatus also has interlocking means ( 15, 22 ) that engage the drive means ( 10 ) with the first metering ring ( 20 ) after the dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times. The first metering ring ( 20 ) is driven to rotate once it is engaged with the drive means ( 10 ). The apparatus only counts the doses of dispensed product after the dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring doses ofproducts dispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an apparatus that allowsfor one or several no-load operations that are not counted.

2. Description of the Related Art

Document WO 95/34874 discloses a dosimeter that functionssatisfactorily.

When using dispensing valves and also certain pumps it may, however, bepreferable to actuate the apparatus once or twice before the first useunder load. However, the apparatus disclosed in WO 95/34874 measures adose each time the dispenser is actuated. It is therefore impossible toeffectuate one or several no-load operations for example in order toprime the pump or to carry out trial operations before use. It is alsoimpossible to guarantee dispensing of a complete dose at the firstactuation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is therefore to build a system formeasuring doses of products dispensed by a fluid or powdery productdispenser that does not have the above-mentioned disadvantage.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a dosimeter ofthis type that only counts the doses that have been dispensed after thedispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times.

The aim of the present invention is also to provide an apparatus of thistype that is simple and inexpensive to produce and to assemble.

It is also an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus ofthis type that can be used to measure the doses dispensed by adispensing valve.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a dosimeter of thistype that is capable of being simply and inexpensively fitted to variousdispensers, particularly to dispensers with various actuating devicetravels.

The object of the present invention is therefore an apparatus formeasuring doses of products dispensed by a fluid or powdery productdispenser, the measuring apparatus comprising:

a first metering ring mounted to rotate about a rotation axis, and

drive means capable of co-operating with the first metering ring inorder to drive it in rotation about the axis, the drive means beingactuated each time the dispenser is actuated, the apparatus comprisinginterlocking means for engaging the drive means with the first meteringring after the dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number oftimes, the first metering ring being driven to rotate only as from whenit is engaged with the drive means, such that the measuring apparatusonly counts the doses that have been dispensed after the dispenser hasbeen actuated the predetermined number of times.

Preferably, the drive means comprise a drive wheel that is mounted torotate around the rotation axis of said first metering ring near towhich the drive wheel is driven to rotate around the rotation axis eachtime the dispenser is actuated.

Advantageously, said interlocking means comprise a foot that is anintegrated part of said drive wheel. The foot is more or less parallelto said rotation axis and co-operates with a slot provided in said firstmetering ring, said slot coming to bear on an end surface of said slotafter the dispenser has been actuated said number of predeterminedtimes.

Advantageously, said slot lies in the arc of a circle in said firstmetering ring. Each time the dispenser is actuated the drive wheel isdriven to rotate around said rotation axis, said foot beingsimultaneously displaced in said slot without causing the first meteringring to rotate, eventually resulting in said foot coming to bear on theradial end surface of the slot. Any subsequent actions of the dispenserbring the foot of the drive wheel to drive said first metering ring torotate around said rotation axis in order to count the doses ofdispensed product. The length of the slot thus constitutes saidpredetermined number of times that the dispenser is actuated duringwhich the metering ring does not turn.

In particular, said first metering ring and said drive wheel eachcomprise a respective anti-return device that prevents said first ringand said drive wheel from rotating in the opposite directions.

Preferably, the dispenser comprises an actuating device capable of beingdisplaced between a rest position and an actuating position such thatevery time the dispenser is actuated said actuating device operates inconjunction with said drive wheel in order to rotate the drive wheelthrough a predetermined angle around said rotation axis.

Advantageously, the actuating device is displaced in a directionparallel to the rotation axis of said drive wheel and to said firstmetering ring.

Advantageously, said drive wheel comprises two rows of indentations thatare arranged around the circumference and that project radiallyoutwards. The indentations of the first row of indentations have a firstoblique surface that operates in conjunction with the actuating devicewhen the device is displaced from the rest position to the actuatingposition. The indentations of the second row have a second obliquesurface that operates in conjunction with the actuating device when thedevice is displaced from the actuating position to the rest position,such that the drive wheel rotates through said predetermined angleduring an actuating cycle of the actuating device.

In particular, said dispenser comprises a dispensing valve that isactuated by a push-button, said push-button including said actuatingdevice such that when the user depresses the push-button to obtain adose the drive wheel rotates through a section of said predeterminedangle and when the push-button is brought back to its initial positionsaid drive wheel rotates through the remainder of the predeterminedangle.

The apparatus may also comprise a second metering ring mounted to rotatearound said rotation axis and that is actuated to rotate by the firstmetering ring each time that said first metering ring has completed a360° rotation around said rotation axis. In this example, theco-operation between the first metering ring and the second meteringring may be identical to that described in document WO 95/34874.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will beshown in the following detailed description given as a non-limitativeexample in reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a measuring apparatus accordingto the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical section through a measuring apparatusaccording to the invention

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the drive wheel according to theinvention,

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of said drive wheel showing the co-operationbetween the driving device and said drive wheel during an actuatingcycle of the dispenser,

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the first metering ringaccording to the present invention, and

FIG. 6 is a schematic horizontal section showing the co-operationbetween the first metering ring and the second metering ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the apparatus for measuring dosesdispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser of the invention isthe same type as that of document WO 95/34874. Therefore, operation ofthis apparatus will only be briefly described hereafter and theabove-mentioned document is included here as a reference for the generaloperation of the apparatus for measuring and particularly for theeffective counting of doses of dispensed product.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6, the apparatus for measuring dosescomprises at least one first metering ring 20 and one or more othermetering rings. In particular, the present apparatus comprises a secondmetering ring 30. The dispenser actuates the first metering ring 20 tobe driven to rotate around its rotation axis 1. As shown in FIG. 6, thesecond metering ring 30 is driven to rotate by said first metering ring20 when said first metering ring has completely rotated around its axis1. The first and second metering rings 20, 30 are particularly suited tocounting individual units and groups of ten respectively. The firstmetering ring 20 advantageously comprises a flexible foot 25 that iscapable of operating in conjunction with a fixed cam 35 each time saidfirst ring has completed a rotation around rotation axis 1. As shown inFIG. 1, for example, the fixed cam 35 may be provided on a shoulder 51of the dispensing valve 50. When foot 25 operates in conjunction withcam 35 said foot is forced into contact with said second metering ring30 in order to cause said second metering ring also to rotate aroundsaid axis 1. The first and second metering rings can, clearly, compriseanti-return systems in order to avoid these metering rings rotating inan opposite direction to that which is imposed by the actuation of thedispenser. In particular, the first metering ring 20 can compriseinternal toothing 29 that co-operates with a catch that is fixedrelative to the rotation axis 1. The principle of the apparatus formeasuring is therefore the same as that disclosed in document WO95/34874.

However, in this apparatus the first metering ring 20 is driven torotate each time the dispenser is actuated. It is therefore impossiblein the apparatus of the prior art for the dispenser to effectuateno-load i.e. uncounted operations before beginning to measure the firstdose.

The present invention therefore concerns a measuring apparatus thatenables the dispenser to be actuated a predetermined number of timesbefore the apparatus for measuring begins to count the doses dispensed.Whereas in the apparatus of the prior art the first metering ring isdriven to rotate each time the dispenser is actuated, the presentinvention enables the first metering ring 20 to be driven to rotate, andtherefore to count the doses dispensed, only after the dispenser hasbeen actuated a predetermined number of times. In order to do this, thepresent invention provides for the first metering ring 20 to be drivenby driving means 10, advantageously in the form of a drive wheel, thatis mounted to rotate around the same rotation axis 1. As shown in FIGS.1 and 2, the dispensing valve 50 includes an assembling flange 52 thatsupports the drive wheel 10 in a fixed axial position and allows forrotation.

This drive wheel 10 is driven to rotate around axis 1 each time thedispenser is actuated but it only co-operates with first metering ring20 to drive said metering ring to rotate around axis 1 as from saidpredetermined number of times the dispenser is actuated. Therefore, thisapparatus includes interlocking means to engage drive wheel 10 withfirst metering ring 20 after the predetermined number of times thedispenser is actuated. These interlocking means advantageously comprisea foot 15 that is fastened to or is an integrated part of drive wheel 10and that operates in conjunction with a suitable slot 21 provided infirst metering ring 20. In reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, foot 15 is shownto be an integrated part of said drive wheel 10 and lies more or lessparallel to said rotation axis 1. FIG. 5 also shows that said slot 21provided in the said first metering ring 20 advantageously lies in thearc of a circle in said first metering ring 20. Therefore, each time thedispenser is actuated, drive wheel 10 is driven to rotate, said foot 15being simultaneously displaced in said slot 21 without the firstmetering ring 20 being caused to rotate. It is only when foot 15 comesto bear on radial end surface 22 of slot 21 that, during a subsequentoperation of the dispenser, foot 15 of drive wheel 10 drives firstmetering ring 20 to rotate around rotation axis 1 to begin measuringdispensed doses. Consequently, the length of said slot 21 determines thepredetermined number of times that the dispenser is actuated duringwhich first metering ring 20 does not rotate and during which theapparatus for measuring does not therefore count the doses of productdispensed.

The drive wheel 10 can clearly also comprise an anti-return deviceidentical to that in FIG. 5 for first metering ring 20 i.e. internaltoothing that co-operates in conjunction with a system of catches fixedrelative to rotation axis 1. Thus, drive wheel 10 and first meteringring 20 are only capable of rotating in the direction that is imposed bythe operation of the measuring apparatus.

The drive wheel 10 is driven to rotate around axis 1 each time thedispenser is actuated. This drive wheel 10 may be fitted to anyapparatus for measuring as disclosed in document WO 95/34874 and moregenerally to any measuring apparatus that is actuated by the dispenseroperation.

One embodiment of the said drive wheel 10 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 to 4. This embodiment is particularly suited to adosimeter that operates in a dispenser actuated by an actuating deviceand that is displaced in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 1 ofthe drive wheel 10 and of first metering ring 20.

In particular, the dispenser can comprise a dispensing valve 50 that isactuated by a push-button 40, said 40, said push-button 40 including anactuating device 45 in the form of a foot that lies radially in relationto rotation axis 1 of the apparatus for measuring, as shown in FIG. 2.The dispensing valve also comprises a mouth piece 60 through which thedose of product is expelled in the direction of the user. The dispensingvalve 50 shown in FIG. 1 can clearly be replaced with any other type ofdispensing device such as a pump.

In reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, push-button 40 is therefore capable ofbeing displaced between a rest position and an actuating position. Thepush-button 40 includes an actuating device 45 that is also thereforecapable of being displaced between an actuating position and a restposition. The actuating device 45 is such that each time the valve orthe apparatus in general is actuated said actuating device co-operateswith drive wheel 10 to rotate said drive wheel through a determinedangle around rotation axis 1. In order to do this, drive wheel 10advantageously comprises two rows of indentations 11 and 12 that areprovided around the circumference of the drive wheel, as shown in FIGS.3 and 4. Preferably, these indentations project outwards in order towork in conjunction with said actuating device 45. Advantageously, theseindentations 11 of the first row of indentations have a first obliquesurface 11 a that co-operates with actuating device 45 when saidactuating device is displaced from the rest position to the actuatingposition. The indentations 12 of the second row of indentations have asecond oblique surface 12 a that co-operates with actuating device 45when said actuating device returns from the actuating position to therest position. Consequently, said drive wheel 10 rotates through saiddetermined angle during a complete actuating cycle of the actuatingdevice 45. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the circumference of firstoblique surface 11 a of the first row of indentations is offset relativeto the circumference of second oblique surface 12 a of the second row ofindentations 12. FIG. 4 shows schematically the successive positions ofactuating device 45 during an actuating cycle of push-button 40. Thuswhen the push-button is still in the rest position, the actuating deviceis in position 45 a. The user then depresses push-button 40 andactuating device 45 descends until it reaches first oblique surface 11 aof a first indentation 11. From this stage onwards the continuation ofthe push-button displacement causes pressure to be forced on saidindentation 11, said pressure comprising a non-vertical component suchthat drive wheel 10 is driven to rotate. When push-button 40 reaches theactuating position, actuating device 45 moves into the position referredto as 45 b. At this stage, drive wheel 10 has only traveled through partof the determined rotation angle through which it rotates each time thedispenser is actuated. When the user releases pressure on push-button 40after the dose is dispensed, said push-button 40 is brought back to therest position, by means of a spring for example, and actuating device 45is therefore brought vertically upwards until it makes contact withsecond oblique surface 12 a of a second indentation 12. At this stageactuating device 45 applies compression force to indentation 12, saidcompression force also comprising a non-vertical component such that thedrive wheel is again driven to rotate around the rotation axis. Theoblique surfaces of first rows of indentations 11 and second rows ofindentations 12 are oriented such that the two vertical components ofcompression force that are applied respectively to the two rows ofindentations cause the drive wheel to rotate in the same direction ofrotation. Therefore, when push-button 40 returns to the rest positionafter a complete actuating cycle of the dispenser, actuating device 45moves into the position referred to as 45 c and the drive wheel haseffectuated a rotation through the determined angle around the rotationaxis. Clearly, if the interlocking means i.e. foot 15 and slot 21operate in conjunction, drive wheel 10 simultaneously causes firstmetering ring 20 to rotate and a dispensed dose is counted by themeasuring apparatus. In this example, when the dispenser is actuated therotation angle of first metering ring 20 is clearly the same as that ofdrive wheel 10.

It is particularly advantageous, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, that firstoblique surface 11 a of first row of indentations 11 is extended by avertical section 11 b. When actuating device 45 is displaced in thissection it no longer applies compression force on first row ofindentations 11 with a non-vertical component. This vertical section 11b is intended to enable push-button 40 to be brought to the actuatingposition. Therefore, drive wheel 10 of the present invention is suitablefor any existing dispensing valves, whatever the actuating travel of thepush-button. If the dispensing valve comprises a short actuating travel,the actuating device will not then be capable of reaching the bottom ofsection 11 b when the push-button is actuated and will be displaceddirectly from the first oblique surface 11 a onto the second obliquesurface 12 a. On the contrary, if the dispensing valve has a longeractuating travel, section 11 b then compensates for the difference intravel and does not require the drive wheel to be modified for eachdifferent dispensing valve. This is also valid for pumps that alsocomprise various actuating travels according to the volume of dosesdispensed. The apparatus of the invention may therefore be fitted to anytype of existing pump or dispensing valve. The invention thus results ina major reduction in costs and enables easy manufacture and assembly.

The predetermined number of times that the dispenser is actuated duringwhich the apparatus for measuring does not count i.e. the length of slot21 provided in first metering ring 20, is determined in advance takinginto account a certain number of operations that are preferably madebefore the product user actually dispenses the first dose for use. Theseno-load operations may, for example, require the apparatus to beactuated one or more times.

Even though the present invention has been described in relation to adosimeter similar to that disclosed in document WO 95/34874, it isclearly suited to any type of measuring apparatus that is intended tomeasure a dose of product each time the dispenser is actuated.Similarly, even though the present invention has been particularlydescribed in relation to a dispenser or actuating device applyingparallel travel to the rotation axis of the apparatus for measuring, asin the example of a dispensing valve, the invention is clearly suitablefor any type of dispenser, however it may be actuated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for measuring doses of productsdispensed by a fluid or powdery product dispenser, said apparatus formeasuring comprising: a first metering ring (20) mounted to rotatearound a rotation axis (1), and drive means (10) capable of co-operatingwith said first metering ring (20) to drive said metering ring to rotatearound said axis (1), said drive means (10) being actuated each time thedispenser is actuated, characterized by the fact that said apparatuscomprises interlocking means (15, 22) that are used to engage said drivemeans (10) with said first metering ring (20) after the dispenser hasbeen actuated a predetermined number of times, said first metering ring(20) only being driven to rotate once it is engaged with said drivemeans (10), such that the apparatus for measuring only counts the dosesof dispensed product after the dispenser has been actuated saidpredetermined number of times.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saiddrive means comprise a drive wheel (10) that is mounted to rotate aroundthe rotation axis (1) of said first metering ring (20) near said firstmetering ring (20), said drive wheel (10) being driven to rotate aroundsaid rotation axis each time the dispenser is actuated.
 3. The apparatusof claim 2 wherein said interlocking means comprise a foot (15) that isan integrated part of said drive wheel (10), said foot (15) being moreor less parallel to said rotation axis (1) and operating in conjunctionwith a slot (21) that is provided in said first metering ring (20), saidfoot (15) coming to bear on an end surface (22) of said slot (21) afterthe dispenser has been actuated a predetermined number of times.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein said slot (21) lies in the arc of a circlein said first metering ring (20), each time the dispenser is actuated torotate said wheel (10) around said rotation axis (1), said foot (15)being simultaneously displaced in said slot (21) without causing saidfirst metering ring (20) to rotate until said foot (15) comes to bear ona radial end surface (22) of said slot (21), any subsequent actions ofthe dispenser bringing said foot (15) of the drive wheel (10) to drivesaid first metering ring (20) to rotate around said rotation axis (1) inorder to count the doses of dispensed product, the length of the slotthus constituting said predetermined number of times that the dispenseris actuated during which the metering ring (20) does not turn.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said first metering ring and said drivewheel do not rotate in opposite directions.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the dispenser comprises an actuating device (45) that is capableof being displaced between a rest position and an actuating positionsuch that each time the dispenser is actuated said actuating device (45)operates in conjunction with said drive wheel (10) to rotate said drivewheel through a predetermined angle around said rotation axis.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein said actuating device (45) is displaced ina direction parallel to the rotation axis (1) of said drive wheel (10)and of said first metering ring (20).
 8. The apparatus of claim 7wherein said drive wheel (10) comprises two rows of indentations (11,12) that are arranged around the circumference and that project radiallyoutwards, the indentations (11) of the first row of indentations have afirst oblique surface (11 a) that operates in conjunction with theactuating device (45) when the device is displaced from the restposition to the actuating position and the indentations (12) of thesecond row have a second oblique surface (12 a) that operates inconjunction with the actuating device (45) when the device is displacedfrom actuating position to the rest position, such that the said drivewheel (10) rotates through said predetermined angle during an actuatingcycle of the actuating device (45).
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 whereinsaid dispenser comprises a dispensing valve (50) actuated by apush-button (40), said push-button (40) including said actuating device(45) such that when the user depresses push-button (40) to obtain a dosethe drive wheel (10) rotates through a section of said predeterminedangle and when push-button (40) is brought back to its initial positionsaid drive wheel (10) rotates through the remainder of saidpredetermined angle.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1 also comprisinga second metering ring (30) that is mounted to rotate around saidrotation axis (1) and which is actuated to rotate by said first meteringring (20) each time that said first metering ring (20) completes a 360°rotation around said rotation axis (1).